April 11 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Mark 16:1–7

Devotional

The risen King leads the way for His people. Unworthy, fallen people are called to follow Him. You need not possess anything in order to follow this King when He goes before you into Galilee. Nothing is expected from your side, for He is a King who glorifies Himself in giving. For His glory He gives you everything you need. And it is His honor to grant life to you who are worthy of death. Now it becomes not only an Easter celebration for His people but above all a celebration for the King Himself. His Name is glorified in the seeking and finding of guilty sinners.

Jesus is crowned King of kings on the day of His resurrection. He is crowned King when those who are guilty of death seek Him. A Mediator’s crown is set on His head, for He is not an earthly king who is glorified in the receiving of honor and glory. This King does not ask for sacrifices; He sacrifices Himself for His subjects, even to death on the cross. He is, therefore, exalted highly by those who are worthy of that cross.

At the exaltation of Jesus the Peters of the world begin to weep again. This time it is not with bitter tears resulting from the sorrow of sin, but with sweet tears of joy because of the grace of God freely given to them. Jesus became for them what they should have been before God. Jesus died for them when they still thought it was unnecessary. He loved them to the end, even when they would not acknowledge Him and their sins made them vile and loathsome. But the power of His resurrection is greater than the power of their sins.

“Tell his disciples and Peter.” Tell the good news to the unworthy ones and especially to those who esteem themselves most unworthy. Tell them that Jesus will go before them into Galilee. Tell them Jesus will go wherever their path leads them. Though their path may lead them through the sea of oppression or through the fire of temptation, Jesus will be there. They may walk a path that they do not desire, but surely all will be well as long as He goes before them.

Finally, He will also go before them through the gates of death. Because He is victorious over death and hell, they will not be overcome by death. He will also defeat the last enemy in order to bring them through the Jordan of death, to go before them into the gates of heaven. His ascension to heaven must follow His resurrection. He himself has said: “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am.” Heaven is the best place for them by far. They will never forsake Him and never deny Him. There they will live eternally in communion with Him. God will have His people back again to remain in paradise forever.

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.